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Wilson College Basketball Team Gearing Up for the 2012-13 Season

Posted: November 15, 2012

The Wilson College basketball coaching staff is hard at work combining a mixture of returning players and new talent as the team gears up for the start of the 2012-13 season this Saturday.

The Phoenix return three key starters from the 2011 campaign. Senior, Tara Fields (Berryville, Va./ Clarke County) will reprise her role as Wilson’s ball handler and a threat on both sides of the court. Last season, Fields led the Phoenix’s stat sheet with 17.2 points and 3.7 steals per game, earning her All-Conference Third Team honors. Junior, Vanessa Whitfield (Chambersburg, Pa./ Chambersburg) will also continue to be an offensive presence and key rebounder for Wilson. During her sophomore season, Whitfield averaged 14 points and 10.5 boards per game. Forward, Ashlee Yealy (Hanover, Pa./ Hanover) returns for her sophomore season after posting 8.9 points and 8 rebounds per game in her rookie debut. Wilson also returns versatile players Monica Lyons (Berlin, Pa./ Berlin Brothers Valley) and Heather Jones (Garrardstown, W.Va./ Musselman), who will add depth to both the guard and post positions. Head Coach, Angie Grove, will look to these veteran players to provide leadership and cohesiveness for the Phoenix.

Newcomers, freshman, Morgan Wonders (Newville, Pa./ Big Spring) and senior Sam Baker (Frederick, Md./ Linganore) join Yealy to give the Phoenix a bigger presence in the paint. In the guard position, freshmen, Billie Jones (West Alexander, Pa./ Avella) and Casandra Martinez (Morrsiville, Pa./ Chambersburg) will look to make a positive impact for the Phoenix by providing more offensive options and a defensive spark. Also new to the team this season are Alexi Ankro (Tappan, N.Y./ Tappan Zee), Sarah Singley (Orrtanna, Pa./ Gettysburg) and Lauren Kimberly (Chambersburg, Pa./ Morrisville), all who will contribute some positive minutes on the court.

Coach Grove is optimistic about this season’s outlook. According to Grove, “These young ladies are focused and are working hard to come together as a team. I am excited about the mix of basketball talent that this team has and am eager to see what this group can accomplish together.”

The Phoenix will start their season this weekend in the Cedar Crest Tip-Off Tournament with Cedar Crest College, Bryn Mawr College, and Notre Dame of Maryland University. Wilson will take on Cedar Crest on Saturday, November 17th at 3:00 pm and either Bryn Mawr or Notre Dame on Sunday. The team will open their home schedule on Wednesday, December 5th hosting North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) opponent Lancaster Bible College.